Walmart’s chief data and analytics officer is taking over as the chairman of the Northwest Arkansas Technology Council.
Bill Groves sees the potential for Northwest Arkansas to become a national hub for technologists from all disciplines, particularly data scientists. Joining the Tech Council as chairman provides the area with the opportunity to create a community group where globally influential tech executives from across the region, and from all levels of business, can convene on strategic initiatives that help realize this vision.
“Northwest Arkansas is ripe to become a hub for deep technologists and data scientists because of the diverse group of large employers — Walmart, Tyson Foods, J.B. Hunt, Arvest Bank, Mercy, Simmons Foods, and multiple startups in retail, finance, and supply chain tech – with operations in need of digital and analytical talent to grow their businesses”, Groves said. “Along with the major employers, The Northwest Arkansas Council and the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber recognize both the need for tech talent across the region and the opportunity that our region’s high quality of life, low cost of living equation offers.”
The Tech Council, an organization formed by technology leaders in the region and managed by the Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce, is now entering its sixth year. It was started in a time when technology professionals where considered a minority among top occupations in the region. Now, with the strategic focus of recruiting and retaining tech talent at the forefront of our community, there is an opportunity to establish a higher-level alliance that allows technology leaders in the area to work together to make an impact on the community and proactively plan for the needs of an evolving economy.
